Crossing-signal.



W. A. HESSE.

CROSSING SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1, 1912.

Patented July 15, 1913.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

mmroe WALTf/f A. HES BY WITNESSES ATTORNEYS w. A. HESSE.

CROSSING SIGNAL.

' APfLlQATIQN FILED NOV.1,1912.

1,067,734. Patented July 15, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. A. HESSE.

CROSSING SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.1,1912.

Patented July 15, 1913.

4 SHEETS'SHEET 4.

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WITNESSES UNITED sTArrEs PEJENT OFFICE.

WALTER A; HESSE, 0F ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA.

CROSSING-SIGNAL.

-' adapted to be actuated by a train approaching the crossing, the control being effected by means of a suitable electric circuit.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a crossing signal adapted to be actuated when a train approaches the crossing in order to give warning to those 1n the vic nity of the crossing, the construction contemplating a signal characterized by an oscillatlng arm.

' It is desirable that automatic devices acting as crossing signal-s approach as nearly as possible the warning signal given by a flagman; thatis, that the signal device calling attention to the on-coming train be oscillated after the manner of swinging a lantern by one employed for that purpose.

The signal herein described and claimed serves to convey to those in the vicinity by audible as well as visual means the appreach of a train, the structure which-operates the parts in order to bring about the warnings being such that they may be conveniently carried in a suitable support, thereby providing for ready accessibility.

. Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which like characters of reference irfdicate corresponding parts in all the views, and in which i Figure 1 is a side view of the signal structure; Fig. 2 is an end view: Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the operating mechanism; Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 ofFi-g. 3; Fig. 5 is a sectional view s1milar to Fig. 4, but looking in the opposite direction; Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6- -6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a sectional view nthe line 7-7 of Fig. 3; while Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 1, 1912. Serial No. 728.988.

Patented July 15,1913.

the signal structure comprises a suitable standard or support 1, preferably provided with a number of swinging doors 23 adjacent its lower end, whereby access to the interior is bad, the interior affording a convenient container for the battery and other parts used in the operation of the device.

Adjacent the top of the standard is a casing 4 in which the moving parts of the out-fit are positioned, whereby they are protected from the action of the elements; extending through this casing, and in operative relation with the mechanism therein, is a shaft 5, to the ends of which signal arms 6 are secured, the lower ends of which are adapted to carry lanterns 7. of the electric or oil type, the signal arms or lanterns moving when the said shaft 5 is turned. The normal position of the signal arms is as shown in full lines in Fig. 1; that is, hanging in a substantially vertical plane. the lanterns 7 being preferably covered by means of shields 8, preferably fixed to the standard 1 and in any suitable manner, as by means of arms 9; in such position of the signal arms the lanterns, especially at night, are hidden from view, so that in the event of displaying a. red light when the signal arm is operating such light will not be exposed when the signal is inoperative.

' Fixed to the top of the signal, and prefer ably on the casing 4, are a number of panels 10, preferably facing in opposite directions, on which suitable warnings may be displayed, being visible from both sides of the track. The signal set forth contemplates the use of a gong 11, preferably fixed to one side of the structure and adapted to be sounded when the signal arms 6 are usedlated. \Vithin the casing 4 is the :u-tuatiug tate as little operating power as is possible.

It will be obvious now that it the shafts 19 are rotated in the bearings 20, the crank 17 turnin therewith will eause the pitman to oscillate the shaft 5 and the arms (3 through a certain angle, this swinging movement of the arms (3 being nniintained as long as power. is applied to the said sha t'tslt). 3

Referring particularly to Figs 3 and 4 it will he noted that a gear 22 is fixed on the shaftlil mounted in suitable bearings 24,, whieh shaft is substantially in line with the stub sha'l'ts 19. the adjaeent ends of the shafts l9 and 23 being provided with two elements BTW- 25", which collectively form a eluteh. The element 25 is preferably lixed en the shaft 19, while the element 25 is sli-lable longitudinally of the, shaft .23 but turns therewith by reason ol the engagement between a key so tixed tothe element and a slot '27 in the said shaft .23. In order to provide for movement of this element 25 l ngitudinaltv ot' the shaft 23 a hell erank le.t|' :ZT is used. pivotally mounted at 28, one end of one or the arlns being bifurcated, thereby l'orming a yoke 29 the sides of whieh are provided with pins 30 engaging in the slot Ill in the outerside of the shoulder 23:! on the said clutch element 253". The end of the other arm 'of the bell crank lever '27 is pivotally secured to an armature 32%, in any desirable manner, as by means of a pin ill. this arn-iature being movable under the intluenee ot the tield set up by the solenoids or eleetro-n'iagnets 35. The normal relation of the elements 25 and Zl'fiof' the luteh brings them out ol engagement with (:u'h other so'that the mass of the arms 6 at the mile!" ends otithe shall 5 will bring -h arms to the normal vertieally extending position when the signal has.beeo|-nc inoperati\e and the alil elut h.elements have l-e n separated; this is desirable in order that lllt lanterns 7 may be unexposed when the ;-'ignal is not operating, as shown pal'tic-- nlarly in Figs. 1 and 2. i 4

'lhe gear '32 is actuated by means of a worm 36 mounted on a suitable shaft 37, to the other end of which a pinion 38 is mounted, whereby this shaft. and worm may be turned; mounted in position within the cusing -l. and on a. suitable support, is a motor the shaft of wlneh is provided wlth a spur gear 40 adapted to drive the beforementiened pinion 38 through the medium'of an intermediate pinion -l l, these parts being preferably inelosed in a suitable case 42. From the deseriplion given the closing of the eireuit, whieh ineludes the motor, will eause the same to turn the shaft 23 through the medium of the gears 22, 38, 40 and 41; it'- now a eireuit including the solenoids 0r eleetro-imignets 35 is closed the two elements 25 and 25 of the clutch will be brought into engagement, and the turning will be transmitted to the shaft 5 and the arms 6.

'lhe'gong 11 is intended to be sounded simultaneously with the swingin of the signal arms (3, and to this end the ollowing structure is preferably provided:-The gong is preferably mounted on a boss 43 whereby it is suitably spaced from the casing t the easing being preferably provided Wih a. substantially circular rib 44 extending eloselyladjacent the open side of the gong, whereby the entrance of rain or snow and foreign matter to the interior is prevented;

closely adjacent the inside of the gong is a hammer 45 secured to one end of one arm 46 of a bell crank pivotally mounted in position at 17, the other arm -lS at its Outer end being in engagement with one end of a helieal spring 49 which is secured to a.

lug 50 by means of a threaded bolt 51 and nuts 52. One side of the arm 46 is preferably provided with a. shoulder 53, and extending from within the easing is a shaft having at its outer end a plurality of shoulders adapted to come into engagement with'the under side of the said arm 46 as the shattis turned, the abrupt disengage ment of the slumlders 55 successively with the shoulder 53 'on the arm permitting the spring 49 to bring the hammer or striker '45 against the gong. therebysounding the same; in order to limit the downward movement of the hammer a stop 56 is preferably provided which may be resilient in its nature and .with \vhich'the said arm adapted to engage.

- In order to bring about rotation .of the shaft. 54 which aetuates the gong-striking mechanism it will be noted (Figs. 3 and 5) that the inner end of .the shaft 23 is provided [with a beveled gear' 57 meshing with a second heveledgear 58 secured to the inner end of the said shaft 54; the result at- 'ta'ined isthat as the shaft 23 is turned the gong-striking mechanism is actuated, as is also the arm-swinging mechanism, whereby' the visible and audible signals are conveyed to those in the neighborhood.

The structure described is especially adapted for use in combination with an electrical circuit which is normally closed, the arrangement being shown particularly in Fig. 8. The rails of the track are provided with insulated sections SS -60 of suitable length, depending on the period of time during which it is desired to have the signal working as the trains approach; any source of power, such as a battery 61, is connected to these insulated rail sections 59-60, the said rail sections being also connected to a relay 62 through the wires (iii-64; a closed circuit is provided by this arrangement, current from the source of power traversing one of the rail sections and one of the wires, thence through the relay back to the other rail section, and returning to the battery. This circuit is then normally a closed one so that the pivoted armature 65 controlled by the relay 62 will normally occupy the position shown in Fig. 8; the solenoid 35 is preferably connected in series with the electric motor 39, these elements being also in series with a second source of current 66, this circuit being normally open and including the said armature 65 which in its lowermost position is adapted to engage with the fixed contact 67 in this said normally open circuit. As a train approaches from the right or left and enters the insulated rail sections the battery 61 is short circuited, the greater portion of the current passing through the car wheels and axle, the result being that the relay 62 is deenergized with the consequent dropping of the armature 65 adjacent the contact 67, thereby closing the circuit which was previously opened and actuating the solenoids and motor as described. Of course, after the train passes out of the insulated rail sections the battery current again flows through the relay 62, and the armature is brought to the position shown in Fig. 8, after which the signal arms return to their normal vertical position and the structure is again inoperative.

The mechanism described makes usefof parts which may be easily assembled, and the structure as a Whole presents no complicated relation of the elements; the predominating feature of the invention. that is, the constantly swinging or oscillating arm, affords a more reliable and trustworthy means of calling attention to danger condi tions at railway crossings.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is i 1. A crossing signal comprising an upright support, a signal shaft journaled therethrough, signal arms mounted on the shaft and adapted to normally assume vertical positions under the influence of their weight, signal lights carried by the ends of the arms, fixed shields mounted on the support so as to cover the said signal lights when the arms are in their normal posi-' crank and driven shafts and one of which is movable toward and away from the other, and means whereby to shift the movable clutch member when the motor is started and stopped, whereby the signal arms may be free to assume anormal vertical position when their operation is finished.

2. A crossing signal comprising an upright support, a signal shaft ournaled therethrough, signal arms mounted on the shaft, a crank shaft journaled in the support and having connection with said signal shaft whereby to oscillate the same and swing the signal arms, a driven shaft, a motor having connection with the driven shaft, complementary clutch members carried by said crank and driven shaft and one of which is movable toward and away from the other, a member for actuating the movable clutch member, and means forming a circuit for the motor and including an electro-magnet having its armature connected to said clutch actuating member.

3. A crossing signal comprising an upright support, a signal shaft journaled therethrough, signal arms mounted on the shaft, a crank shaft journaled in the support and having connection with said signal gram whereby to oscillate the same and swing the signal arms, a driven shaft alined with the said crank shaft, complementary clutch members carried by the contiguous ends of the crank and driven shafts and one of which is movable toward and away from the other, a motor having connection with the driven shaft, a bell crank lever mounted in the support, one arm of which is provided with a yoke in connection with one of the said clutch members, and means forming a circuit for the motor and including an electro-magnet having its armature connected to the other arm of the said bell crank lever.

4., A crossing signal comprising an 111)- right support, a signal shaft j ournaled thrrethrough, ar'ms mounted on the shaft nd constituting a visual signal, an audible ignal consisting of a bell mounted at one side of the support, a crank shaft journaled in the support and having connection with the said signal shaft, a driven shaft alined with the said crank shaft, a clutch connecting the contiguous ends of the crank and driven shafts, a motor having connection with the 5 driven shaft, a shaft having connection with the opposite end of the driven shaft and extending at right angles thereto, connections between the said transverse shaft and the bell for sounding an alarm when the motor 10 is actuated, and means forming a circuit for \VALTER' A. HESSE.

\Vitnesses:

Wnmnt S. BURGESS, DONALD ELLIOT. 

